100,000 grieving families in financial difficulty left to cover £240m funeral bill

The cost of a simple, attended funeral has risen 3.5% in a year to £4,285 according to the 21st annual SunLife Cost of Dying report

  • 68% of people leave money behind to pay for their funeral, but only 38% leave enough – this lack of provision means that, on average, families are left to cover a shortfall of £1,695 – across the UK that’s almost £1bn
  • For 1 in 5 bereaved families – around 100,000 across the UK – covering this cost causes ‘notable financial concerns’
  • The shortfall for this group is higher at £2,370 – creating a total unpaid funeral debt of £240m which they are being forced to take on debt, ask loved ones for money, and even sell their belongings to cover
  • 75% say paying for a funeral impacted their mental health, while 60% said it impacted their physical health

The rising cost of funerals, combined with the fact only 1 in 3 people put enough provision in place to pay for them, is leaving some families with debt and impacting their mental and physical wellbeing, according to the 21st edition of the SunLife Cost of Dying Report.

The UK’s longest running report into funeral costs has found that the cost of a simple, attended funeral1 has risen 3.5% in a year to £4,285, while an unattended cremation (also known as a direct cremation) has risen 6.7% to £1,597.

The report also shows that while two thirds (68%) of people do make provisions to pay for their own funeral, only 38% leave enough to cover the whole cost. This lack of provision means that, on average, families are left to cover a shortfall of £1,695. 

While it is sometimes possible to release money from the deceased’s bank accounts for funeral costs before probate has taken place, a third of families are still left to cover at least some of the costs themselves, with 10% taking on debt to do so.

Cost of living crisis impacting families’ ability to cover funeral costs

According to SunLife’s findings, 33% of people who recently organised a funeral say the cost-of-living crisis impacted how they organised and paid for it. One in eight (13%) say they had to cut back on certain aspects of the funeral because they couldn’t afford it, and 10% say the cost of living crisis added an extra layer of stress.

One in five (22%) said paying for the funeral impacted their own standard of living, including 8% who had to cut back on essential items and 6% who struggled to pay essential bills.

1 in 5 suffer ‘notable’ financial difficulties paying for a funeral – and are struggling with £240m of funeral debt

The study also shows that for one in five (18%) families, having to find the money to pay for a loved ones’ funeral caused notable financial difficulties. This group have to find an average of £2,370 to cover the cost.

A quarter of those with notable financial concern report struggling to pay essential bills or rent, and 34% have to cut back on essential items such as food.  To make up the shortfall, one in four (24%) use a credit card, and 12% take out a loan to cover the cost. On average, this group take on £3,109 of debt.

A further one in four (23%) borrow from a friend or relative, while one in five (19%) sell belongings to cover the cost.

3 in 4 (75%) say paying for a funeral impacted their mental health, while 60% said it impacted their physical health. For some, costs may be recouped from the deceased’s estate once it has been administered. But, as a funeral typically takes place before probate, families may still be left struggling to cover the cost in the short term.

Mark Screeton, CEO at SunLife said: “Funeral costs have risen dramatically in the 21 years we’ve been tracking them. Back in 2004, the average cost of a simple, attended funeral was £1,835. Today, it stands at £4,285 – a staggering 134% increase, far outpacing inflation over the same period.

Couple this with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the fact that many people don’t leave enough provision to cover their funeral – or even share their preferences – and you have a situation where grieving families can be left struggling with debt at an already difficult time.

“Most of us have an idea of what we’d like for our own funeral, but we rarely communicate it. Our study shows just half of funeral organisers know whether loved ones wanted a burial or cremation, while other preferences are even less known. And with over £1,000 difference in cost between the two options, this can bring an extra layer of financial pressure when loved ones are worrying about ‘getting it right’.

“One of the kindest things we can do for our loved ones is to open up and plan ahead. We need to break the stigma around talking about death, start discussing the kind of send-off we want, and where we expect the money to come from. By doing so, we can spare our families unnecessary financial and emotional stress when the time comes.

“SunLife has a great free tool called My Perfect Send Off, which walks you through various funeral options and lets you record your preferences (or even lack thereof). You can then download and keep your wishes, or share them with a loved one.”

Read the full summary webpage and download SunLife’s comprehensive 2025 Cost of Dying PDF report at www.sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs

sunlife-cost-of-dying-report-2025Download

Support for women in conflict resolution

First Minister marks International Women’s Day

First Minister John Swinney has reaffirmed Scotland’s commitment to promoting women’s leadership in conflict resolution, as Scotland marks International Women’s Day.

The First Minister confirmed the Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship programme will receive continued Scottish Government funding as part of a new £400,000 programme to support peacebuilding organisations in Scotland.

Delivered by Scotland-based NGO Beyond Borders and the University of Edinburgh Law School, the Fellowship has trained more than 360 women peacebuilders from 40 conflict-affected countries across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Latin America since 2017.

It is named after the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which marks its 25th anniversary this year.

First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland has a proud history of championing peace, democracy, and human rights. On International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to international peacebuilding and ensuring women have a central role in that process.

“We know when women are involved in peace processes, the outcomes are fairer and longer lasting. Ensuring women’s participation is therefore not just a moral imperative, but a strategic necessity for achieving sustainable peace.

“That is why I am pleased to confirm that the Scottish Government is extending its support for the Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship Programme.

“At a time of heightened global conflict – and when investments in overseas aid are being cut elsewhere – Scotland is proud to support the role of women in international peacebuilding efforts and sharing our values of democracy and devolution to help others build lasting, peaceful societies.”

Mark Muller Stuart KC, Founder and Director of Beyond Borders Scotland, said: “Beyond Borders Scotland is delighted to have secured renewed funding for the world-renowned Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship Programme which is about to enter its 10th year and has done so much to support women’s presence within peace processes around the globe.

“The Scottish Government’s announcement of this exciting award on International Women’s Day is a fitting tribute to the tireless efforts of women peacemakers and builders working around the world to help their communities emerge from conflict as well an appropriate celebration of the 25th anniversary of the ground-breaking passing of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 calling for greater women’s participation in peace processes.”

Professor Jo Shaw, Head of Edinburgh Law School, said: “At a time when armed conflicts are becoming more complex, the University of Edinburgh welcomes the Scottish Government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive peacebuilding.

“Globally, women are disproportionately affected by conflict and often denied full roles in local, national, and international peacebuilding efforts.

“We look forward to continuing our work with the Women in Conflict Fellows and Scottish peacebuilding community to increase the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding, and to amplify the voices of Scotland-based actors in international conflict resolution. We thank the Scottish Government for taking the initiative and supporting this important work.”

Heriot-Watt scientist receives €2 million funding to help predict the unexpected

A mathematician who specialises in quantifying uncertainty has won a €2 million funding award from the Italian government.

Lorenzo Pareschi, Chair of Applied Mathematics at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, will use the funding to try to better understand and predict complex phenomena such as epidemics, traffic, the economy and even how opinions spread on social media.

Professor Pareschi said: “This research could potentially impact many sectors, including clean energy production and space exploration. But the tools we develop could also be applied to situations closer to our daily lives, like the spread of epidemics, the way opinions develop on social media and the progress of elections.”

The award is an Advanced Grant from the Italian Science Fund (FIS), which was established by Italy’s Ministry of University and Research to support research excellence in Italy.

The University of Ferrara in Italy, where Professor Pareschi is a Professor of Numerical Analysis, said the award underlines the “central role of applied mathematics in understanding and predicting the scientific and technological challenges of modern society.”

Professor Pareschi is also the only mathematics researcher in Italy to receive Advanced Grant funding from the Italian Science Fund, the University of Ferrera added.

Professor Sara Lombardo, Executive Dean of Heriot-Watt’s School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, said: “We are delighted to see Lorenzo’s work recognised with this prestigious award.

“His research is already making important contributions to science – and raising awareness of the crucial role of mathematics in making sense of the world.”

Professor Pareschi leads the research project ADAMUS, which develops advanced mathematical tools to analyse complex systems from epidemics to environmental and societal dynamics.

The project identifies interconnected dynamics in seemingly different phenomena—dynamics that often cannot be effectively studied using conventional methods. ADAMUS was created to develop new mathematical frameworks capable of describing, analysing, and predicting such phenomena with greater precision and efficiency.

Professor Pareschi explained: “We are essentially using mathematics to uncover and describe the hidden laws governing certain phenomena. This is becoming increasingly important as risks associated with emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, continue to grow.

“For example, we know that social media can influence political elections, shape public opinion, and even affect consumer behaviour. Developing predictive tools for these dynamics can also help mitigate the spread of fake news, enabling us to better understand, control, and navigate these complex phenomena.”

Professor Pareschi received his PhD in Mathematics from the University of Bologna, Italy, and subsequently held visiting professorships in the United States at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta and the University of Wisconsin-Madison and in France at the University of Orléans and University of Toulouse.

He was previously Head of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Ferrara in Italy and holds awards including a 2023 Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship, which awards long-term funding to senior researchers in the UK

Since joining Heriot-Watt University in 2023, Professor Pareschi’s research has increasingly focused on problems of uncertainty quantification, optimal control, global optimisation and machine learning.

Professor Pareschi is also member of the steering committee of the Italian Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIMAI), and member of the Committee for Applications and Interdisciplinary Relations (CAIR) of the European Mathematical Society (EMS).

Sunday: Covid-19 Day of Reflection

Sunday 9 March 2025 is the Day of Reflection across the UK for the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is an opportunity to come together to remember those who lost their lives since the pandemic began and to honour the tireless work and acts of kindness shown during this unprecedented time. 

2025 marks five years since the pandemic began and we continue to honour and remember those affected. 

People and communities are invited to come together on the COVID-19 Day of Reflection, to mark the day in ways that feel meaningful to them. 

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration was set up to find appropriate ways to remember those who lost their lives since the pandemic began, and to explore how we mark this period of our history.

The Commission held an in depth consultation with those most impacted by the pandemic, including representatives from bereaved family organisations. In September 2023 it published its final report, recommending an annual UK-wide day of reflection.

By continuing to hold a Day of Reflection, in line with previous years, we hope to offer communities across the country the opportunity to join together in commemoration of those who lost their lives.

On Sunday 9 March 2025, people are invited to:

  • remember and commemorate those who lost their lives since the pandemic began
  • reflect on the sacrifices made by many, and on the impact of the pandemic on us all
  • pay tribute to the work of health and social care staff, frontline workers and researchers
  • appreciate those who volunteered and showed acts of kindness during this unprecedented time

Apprenticeship funding

Funding for 25,500 new Modern Apprentices, 2,500 Foundation Apprentices

More than £100 million funding to support Modern and Foundation Apprenticeships in 2025-26 has been confirmed by Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth.

Contracts will now be issued by Skills Development Scotland to employers, training providers and colleges for Modern Apprenticeship starts and learning providers for Foundation Apprenticeship starts.

The Education Secretary made the announcement following a visit to Glenrothes High School to mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

Ms Gilruth said: “Around 400,000 apprenticeship opportunities have been provided to young people across the country since 2008 and our latest funding commitment makes clear they will continue to be a key feature of Scotland’s education and skills system going forward. Apprenticeships provide vital opportunities for young people to acquire key skills and a route into high quality careers, helping the economy and creating sustainable jobs.

“Feedback from employers indicates that there are key skills gaps and we are aiming to focus investment on apprenticeships in sectors facing labour market shortages. I would encourage businesses to consider opportunities available to them, to help them adapt and sustain their operations.

“Supporting apprenticeships is just one part of the £2 billion we are investing each year in colleges, universities and the wider skills system, recognising the vital role they play in education and the economy.”

Chair of Skills Development Scotland Frank Mitchell said: “Created by employers, for employers, apprenticeships are crucial to unlocking economic opportunity in growth sectors.

“With demand from employers and young people remaining strong, SDS will continue working to maximise apprenticeship starts aligned to industry need within its available budget.

“Apprenticeships foster innovation, economic growth, and new opportunities whilst providing great social return, generating opportunities for many young people from Scotland’s most deprived communities.”

At Glenrothes High School, Ms Gilruth met S6 pupil Demi Short, undertaking a Childcare Foundation Apprenticeship, who said the opportunity had highlighted a potential career path for her.

Demi said: “Overall, my experience of the Childcare Foundation Apprenticeship is extremely positive, as it has sparked my desire to work within the primary education course.

“The placement has sparked my love and passion within this career. I will always be thankful for my placement, and the experience.”

Jack Mellis, also in S6, is undertaking a Creative and Digital Foundation Apprenticeship, and spoke about the practical skills he had gained.

Jack said: “The creative and digital course teaches you anything digital in the creative industry, including making videos for social media, designing posters for anything requested, creating sound and working rigging equipment for this purpose. You learn how to read a creative brief and how to respond, what software to use and so on.

“I am currently on my work placement in technical theatre, where I can use the skills I gathered during my course. I have no doubt that the skills I have learnt from my course and work placement will allow me to get a job in many different places, such as marketing teams for companies, radio or movie studios, or even my own video making company.”  

Headteacher of Glenrothes High School, Avril McNeill, said: “Anyone considering a Foundation Apprenticeship in school should go for it – there’s a huge range of Foundation Apprenticeships on offer, from childcare, to legal services, to lab skills. No matter what your chosen career path is, there is something for everyone.

“Foundation Apprenticeships offer young people the opportunity to mix their school career with college – they can try courses they may be interested in doing and determine whether that is for them or not. This is combined with some hands-on, practical work experience that they could use in the workplace or for personal statements for college or university applications.

“We have got a very varied curricular offering, and were an early adopter of Foundation Apprenticeships and offer national certificates in school as well. This creates a flexible package of traditional qualifications integrated with Foundation Apprenticeships, where young people might be part time in school and at college, and do some work experience as part of that.”

A historic Edinburgh icon returns

John’s Coffee House and Tavern reopens after 200 years!

After 200 years, John’s Coffee House and Tavern is returning to Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile following a £500,000 investment from CoDE Concepts.  

Once a renowned gathering place for Scotland’s legal minds, writers, and thinkers, the revived John’s Coffee House and Tavern honours its rich past while celebrating the best of local Scottish produce. 

Following a complete refurbishment, the new space allows the original assets of the coffee house to stand out thanks to Edinburgh-based interior designers, Morgan Architects. Working to accentuate the historic details of the coffee house, the brand-new, warm and inviting space welcomes guests to enjoy everything from breakfast in the morning to drinks later at night, staying true to Edinburgh’s 17th century coffee house and taverns.  

Founded in 1688 in Parliament Square, John’s Coffee House and Tavern was a lively hub of intellectual discussion and social debate. At the time, there was little distinction between coffee houses and taverns – both served coffee, ale, wine and food making them central to Edinburgh’s bustling social and political scene. John’s Coffee House was no exception, drawing in a diverse crowd of legal minds, writers and merchants. 

Frequented by notable figures such as Adam Smith and David Hume, it is said that some of the most influential ideas of the Enlightenment were born here, with a coffee or ale in hand. Judges and advocates famously gathered for their midday “meridians”, a stiff drink before heading back to court. Though the original establishment was tragically lost in the Great Fire of Edinburgh in 1824, its legacy lives on. 

Goods of all kinds once passed through John’s Coffee House, from coffee, fine wines, to land, ships and even stocks of the Royal Bank of Scotland. Now, two centuries later, this historic establishment is reopening offering a menu that blends tradition with contemporary Scottish flavours.

Signature drinks include the historic ‘Cauld Cock & Feather’, a glass of brandy with raisins, once a favourite of 18th-century patrons, and ‘The Enlightened Irish Coffee,’ featuring Highland Nectar Scotch Whisky Liqueur, freshly brewed coffee, maple syrup, and a topping of whipped cream. Guests can also enjoy sharing boards featuring Scottish cheeses, charcuterie, and artisanal chutneys from Arran. 

Sourcing ingredients from the local suppliers, the coffee house and tavern will feature tea and coffee from Edinburgh Tea Company and Common Coffee, haggis from Hall’s of Scotland, and baked goods from Le Petit Français and The Edinburgh Scone Company. Drinks include craft beers from Bellfield Brewery and cider from Edinburgh Cider Co. 

Andrew Landsburgh, Director and Founder of CoDE Concepts shared: “This is one of Edinburgh’s most fascinating and storied buildings. Walking through the old cells and courtrooms back in 2019, when opening the CoDE The Court, was eerie, yet inspiring. Our vision was to modernise the space while paying homage to its extraordinary history. 

“Coffee was at the heart of John’s Coffee House and Tavern for over a century, fuelling debates, shaping ideas and bringing people together. Now 200 years later, we’re proud to continue this tradition, serving exceptional coffee and drinks in a space where history is written on the walls.” 

Located in a Category A-listed building within Edinburgh’s Old Town Conservation Area and World Heritage Site, the new John’s Coffee House and Tavern invites visitors to step into history while enjoying the best of Scotland’s culinary offerings. 

For further information or to make a booking visit https://johnscoffeehouse.com/. 

Sarah Boyack: SNP’S £600M raid on Edinburgh revealed

Scottish Labour has revealed the SNP has cut an eye-watering £660 million from Edinburgh Council’s coffers over the last 12 years.

Local authorities across Scotland are currently being forced to make difficult choices to keep services afloat.

New analysis by Scottish Labour has shown that the SNP government cut a cumulative total of £7.8 billion from core Council budgets across Scotland between 2013-14 and 2025-26.

This includes an eyewatering £660 million in Edinburgh Council alone.

Scottish Labour has said these cuts have pushed Edinburgh Council to breaking point and left Scots paying the price for SNP failure.

The effect of this financial vandalism has been evident with core council services facing extreme financial pressure.

Edinburgh is also in the grips of a brutal housing crisis.

Commenting, Scottish Labour MSP for Lothian Sarah Boyack said: “Services in Edinburgh are under immense pressure because of the austerity the SNP has inflicted on Councils.

“The SNP government has short-changed Edinburgh Council year after year.

“These brutal cuts have pushed Councils across Scotland to breaking point and forced them to make impossible choices to protect lifeline services.

“Our capital is in desperate need of fair funding as the Council is struggling to deliver vital services with less and less resources.

“The Labour UK Government decisively ended the era of Tory austerity, but Scots are still being forced to pay the price for SNP failure.

“A Scottish Labour Government will put an end to SNP mismanagement and cuts and deliver fair funding for Edinburgh so working people don’t have to plug the gaps of government cuts.”

Scottish Labour Lothian MSP Foysol Choudhury added: “Years of the SNP Government underfunding our councils is hitting residents harder than ever.

“From social care, third sector services or the extortionate cost of housing the public are being forced to bear the consequences of SNP mismanagement yet again; Edinburgh and Lothian need a new direction.”

Cumulative cuts to core Council budgets, 2013-14 to 2025-26:

Local authorityTotal (£m)[FIGURE A]
Aberdeen City-107.7
Aberdeenshire-51.1
Angus-132.2
Argyll & Bute-376.9
Clackmannanshire-74.1
Dumfries & Galloway-329.0
Dundee City-231.1
East Ayrshire-136.1
East Dunbartonshire-45.1
East Lothian-49.7
East Renfrewshire-59.4
Edinburgh, City of-660.9
Eilean Siar-251.2
Falkirk-184.0
Fife-303.8
Glasgow City-1,544.0
Highland-443.3
Inverclyde-200.3
Midlothian3.6
Moray-28.8
North Ayrshire-158.7
North Lanarkshire-613.0
Orkney-92.3
Perth & Kinross-102.2
Renfrewshire-233.1
Scottish Borders-143.3
Shetland-223.6
South Ayrshire-120.1
South Lanarkshire-483.6
Stirling-100.8
West Dunbartonshire-217.0
West Lothian-88.7
Total-7,781.6

More than 42 MILLION free bus journeys made by under-22s in Edinburgh under SNP government

Gordon Macdonald MSP has marked “the transformative impact of SNP policies” as new figures show 42,368,125 of bus journeys were made by under 22s in Edinburgh since the SNP Government introduced the policy three years ago.

Earlier this week it was revealed that over 200 million free bus journeys had been made by young people across Scotland. The scheme continues to help eradicate child poverty, tackle climate change and grow the economy by providing free access to education, employment and leisure.

Through the 2025-26 Budget, the Scottish Government will provide £409 million for concessionary bus travel, providing access to free bus travel for almost 2.3 million people.

Commenting, Gordon Macdonald MSP said: “Eradicating child poverty is the number one priority of this SNP Government, and by facilitating 42,368,125 journeys for under 22s across the city – , the highest recorded across all local authority areas – we are making progress towards this goal.

“With over 200 million journeys now made across Scotland, this SNP policy is saving young people and their families significant amounts of money while creating new opportunities.

“This policy has been one of the most instrumental in improving the lives of young people across Edinburgh, supporting our bus services, our community, and our climate.

“This is the SNP under John Swinney delivering on Scotland’s priorities and for the city’s young people.”

Journeys made for the Under 22’s Free Bus Scheme since its launch, broken down by local authority area (as at 1/3/25):

Local AuthorityTotal Journeys
Aberdeen City  11,755,210
Aberdeenshire    5,817,811
Angus Council    2,795,910
Argyll & Bute    1,592,223
City of Edinburgh  42,368,125
Clackmannanshire       949,142
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar       290,964
Dumfries and Galloway    2,808,657
Dundee City    9,078,908
East Ayrshire    5,095,101
East Dunbartonshire   2,729,489
East Lothian    5,856,702
East Renfrewshire    2,688,049
Falkirk    2,943,570
Fife    5,847,992
Glasgow City  26,926,132
Highland    4,210,245
Inverclyde    3,073,230
Midlothian    5,444,718
Moray    1,703,065
North Ayrshire    5,677,541
North Lanarkshire    8,155,430
Orkney Islands       285,724
Perth & Kinross    4,563,953
Renfrewshire    6,794,793
Scottish Borders    2,696,004
Shetland Islands       553,252
South Ayrshire    2,923,356
South Lanarkshire    7,440,121
Stirling    2,524,385
West Dunbartonshire    3,564,053
West Lothian    4,880,594
Total204,034,449

NUS Scotland responds to planned £140m cuts at University of Edinburgh

‘Scotland’s education system being allowed to crumble’ – NUS Scotland President

NUS Scotland is deeply concerned about the growing crisis in education across Scotland, highlighted by the recent announcement that the University of Edinburgh is planning to make £140m of cuts due to financial difficulty.

The University Vice Chancellor’s announced plans to explore ‘radical action’ to reduce costs including potential staff cuts, restructuring, and possible course closures, are part of a wider trend threatening the future of education in Scotland.

Commenting, President of NUS Scotland Sai Shraddha S. Viswanathan said: “This isn’t unique to the University of Edinburgh. Our education system in Scotland is crumbling, and it’s being allowed to happen. It’s becoming all too common to hear from university or college management that course closures are necessary and staff redundancy schemes unavoidable.

“Year after year of higher and further education cuts in public funding is taking its toll, including the real terms cuts just passed in the recent Scottish budget. We need to see recognition that education is a public good that enriches our society, and public investment to match.

“The long term damage that these kind of cuts will have cannot be understated – students, staff, and Scotland will all suffer as a result. NUS Scotland stands in solidarity with all students and staff across Scotland facing an uncertain future, and calls on the Scottish Government to intervene to halt damaging cuts in Edinburgh and elsewhere.

“Edinburgh University is one of Scotland’s richest institutions, and we join the UCU in calling for the University to use its significant wealth to protect jobs and courses, and echo the Edinburgh University Students Association’s call for management to prioritise students.

“However, not even our richest universities can fix this crisis alone. The Scottish Government must act to reverse the trend of falling education funding and fix our broken education system so that students and Scotland can thrive.”